
Entered according t© Act(^ Congress, in the year 1875, 
By R. a FERRIER. < 
In the Office of the Librarian at Washington 



THE NEW 



Lawn and Parlor Game, 



"AMERICA/^ 



Its Principles and Rules, 



BY THE INVENTO 



NTOJl. 



l\ . J . J^n-trt/ < 



1 1^ - Patented September, a^^ ^^ %/.-^X 
"AMERICA" GAME AND PUBLISHINO't^Bjl^AlWT" 

NORTHAMPTON, MASS. 
1875. 






JOURNAL STEAM BOOK AND JOB PRINT, 
NORTHAMPTON, MASS. 



LC Control Number 




tinp96 026364 



INTRODUCTION. 



" America" was first introduced to the public in the latter part 
of September, 1874, and owing to the lateness of the season, but few 
games were sold ; yet, wherever the game was introduced it was 
received with great favor, owing, no doubt, to its simplicity and 
beauty of construction; while its cost is no greater than that of the 
ordinary ($3.50) Croquet set. 

Several new lawn games have been presented to the public 
within the last four years, and nearly all of them have proved failures, 
because they were so complicated that it was difficult to learn to play 
them, and the cost of the game so great, but comparatively few per- 
sons could afford to buy a set, Croquet alone, standing the test of time. 

"America" is not designed to supplant Croquet. We offer to 
the public a game highly interesting in itself, combining all the 
healthful exercise of Croquet ; a game which admits of the skill of 
the best Croquet and Billiard player, and yet so simple, so easy to 
comprehend, that a child can soon learn how to play it. Not only has 
the game these advantages, but the additional one, that with the same 
materials of which the game is constructed, any one desiring, can play 
Croquet. 

We shall endeavor in the following pages of this manual to 
explain the " principles and rules" of the game clearly and fully; 
and show the manner of changing "America" into Croquet. 

Trusting our efforts will be duly appreciated by the lovers of 
pleasing and healthy out-of-door exercise, we remain, 
Yours, respectfully, 

^^AMEEIOA" GAME AND PUBLISHING CO., 

R. O. FERRIER, Geii'l Agent, 

Northampton, Mass., Lock Box 192 







DIAGRAM No. 1. 










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Description of Game. 



GROUND. 



Any piece of ground that is suitable for Croquet, is 
equally adapted for " America." 

ARCHES. 

The arches are the wire hoops or wickets through 
which the field-balls are driven, being the same as those 
used in Croquet, except that they are numbered respec- 
tively : I, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. The arch at the starting- 
point is unnumbered. 

The player does not win the game by being the first 
party out, as in Croquet, but accomplishes that end as in 
Billiards, by count. Those players who best succeed in 
driving the field-balls through the arches and score the 
largest count are the winners. 

ARRANGEMENT OF ARCHES. 

Diagram i, on 4th page, represents an area forty feet 
long and twelve feet wide. The arches are arranged as 
shown in this diagram ; blank arch being the head (starting 
point) of the ground, and arches Nos. 6, 7 and 8 the foot or 
end. The distances between the arches are as follows : 4 ft. 
between blank arch and No. i; 6 ft. between Nos. i and 2 ; 
7 ft. between Nos. 2 and 3 ; 7 ft. between Nos. 3 and 4 ; 
7 ft. between Nos. 4 and 5 ; and 9 ft. between Nos. 5 and 
house. If the nature of the ground will admit, the arches 
can be set farther apart to good advantage, and if the 
ground is limited, the arches should be set nearer together, 
care being taken that the same relative distances are 
observed. 



AMERICA. 



DIAGRAM No. 2. 

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DESCRIPTION OF GAME. 



DEFINITIONS OF DIAGRAM 2. 

O, Player's ball ; A, blank arch — starting point ; GO, 
field-balls ; B, arch No. i ; C, arch No. 2 ; D, arch No. 3 ; 
E, arch No. 4 ; F, arch No. 5; G, arches Nos. 6, 7 and 8. 
These last three are called the house. Any field-ball hav- 
ing passed through any one of the arches which form the 
house has had its run. 

FIELDS. 

The ground is divided into six fields, called respectively: 
One field (the space between blank and arch No. i). 
Two field (the space between arches Nos. i and 2). Three 
field (the space between arches Nos. 2 and 3). Four field 
(the space between arches ]>fos. 3 and 4). Five field (the 
space between arches Nos. 4 and 5). House field (the 
space between arches Nos. 5 and 6, 7 and 8, or house. 

FIELD-BALLS 

Are those balls in the set which are unpainted. These 
balls instead of being played with as in Croquet, are played 
upon. There are three in a set. 

PLAYERS' BALLS 

Are the same as used in Croquet, and are painted to 
match with colors on mallet-handles. In half-sets there 
are four balls; in full sets eight. 

MALLETS. 

The mallet-heads are made of hickory, thoroughly 
seasoned ; the handles are eight-cornered. There are four 
in half-sets and eight in full sets. The handles are colored 
to correspond with colors on balls. 

DIALS 

Are the numbered cards with pointer for keeping tally 
of the game. 



AMERICA. 



COXJNTEIl. 

The counter is made of two upright stakes with wires 
running- across the top, on which are placed buttons. 
These buttons can be slid back and forth on the w^res. 
The stakes are fastened together in the centre by a ferule, 
and can be taken apa^t, the lower portion serving for stakes 
when " America" is set up for Croquet. 



General Directions for Playing. 



THE GAME ^'AMERICA" 

Can be played by two, three, four, five, six, seven, or 
eight persons, and one great advantage which the game 
presents is, that it can be played as sides by an odd as 
well as an even number of persons, or each individual 
player can play tor himself, making as large a score as 
possible, regardless of any, or all players. 

THE GAME COMMENCES 

By A placing his ball half a mallet's length outside of 
blank arch on a straight line with fi^eld-ba41s, and striking 
it so as to drive field-balls through arch No. i into field 
two. It should be borne in mind that the field-balls are not 
to be struck with the mallet, but must be driven through 
the respective arches in succession by a player's ball strik- 
ing against them. See Rules and Regulations, Rule i. 

All the field-balls should be driven through arch No. i 
into field two, before any are put through arch No. 2, 
and all the field-balls should be put through arch No. 2 
into field three betore any are put through arch No. 3, etc. 
throughout the game, until all the field-balls are pnt 
through the house. See R. and R., ;Rule 2. 



RULES AND REGULATIONS. 



As will be seen, the object of the player is to drive all 
the field-balls through all the arches in regular succession 
until all are put outsi.de of the house, and to score as high a 
count as possible. In doing this to be careful that his own 
ball is not passed by himself, or driven by an opponent 
through an arch through which field-balls are passing, for 
-that takes from his count as many as the number on the 
arch through which his ball passes. See R. and R., Rule 8. 

To sum up: A having had his turn and missed, should 
when his turn comes again, play from whatever position he 
may find his ball from field-balls, likewise every player 
after the first turn. 

The field-balls must be kept moving toward the house 
and never be brought back when having once gone fairly 
through an arch. When all the field-balls have been put 
through all the arches and the house, they have made the 
tour of the ground and the game ends. The party or 
parties having the largest count win the game. Sixty-nine 
is the highest number that can be scored. 

Should A succeed at first stroke in driving one or 
more field-balls through arch No. i into field two, he is 
entitled to another turn and can roquet a field-ball, and 
having roqueted a field-ball he can croquet or roquet- 
croquet it through an arch. See R. and R., Rule 3. 

Shojjld A fail at his first stroke to drive a field-ball 
through arch No. i into field two he misses and must wait 
until his turn shall come round again. See R. R., Rule 4. 

B commences by placing his ball half a mallet's length 
outside of blank arch in any direction he may choose, and 
it is optional whether he goes through the arch or not, and 
if A is within his reach he plays on his ball, as this entitles 
him to the roquet (see R. and R. Rule 5); but if A is not 
within his reach or is in a field ahead of field-balls (see R. 
and R., Rule 6,) B plays upon the nearest field-ball. C, D, 
etc., following in succession, taking any angle they choose 
half a mallet's length outside of blank arch. See R. and 
R., Rule 7. 



10 AMERICA. 



Rules and Regulations. 



Rule 1. Field-balls must be put through the arches 
by a player's ball coming in contact with them, and never 
by a blow irom the mallet. 

Rule 2. All the field-balls must be passed through 
the arch through which they are being driven before any 
are put through the preceding arch, etc. 

Rule 3. Any player who drives a field-ball through an 
arch, when his own ball does not pass through at the same 
time, is entitled to the roquet. Having roqueted a field- 
ball, he can croquet or roquet-croquet it through an arch. 

Rule 4. A player misses when he fails to drive a 
ball through an arch ; when he attempts to hit an oppo- 
nent's ball, and misses ; and when he fails to make the 
roquet, and he shall then wait until his turn comes before 
he plays again. 

Rule 5. When a player has driven a field-bell 
through an arch; hit any player's ball — opponent or 
friend — he is entitled to the roquet. 

Rule 6. Should a player wish to protect himself against 
a succeeding player, he can, by a regular stroke, place his 
ball in a field ahead of field-balls. Thus should A, after 
having passed one or rnore field-balls through Arch i, see 
that it was impossible for him to get any more field-balls 
through with his only remaining stroke, he can place his 
ball in field two, or any field ahead of field-balls, and B 
could not play on A's ball until he had succeeded in 
driving the field-balls into the field where A's ball lies. 

Rule 7. Every player shall start half a mallet's 
length outside of blank arch. 



RULES AND REGULATIONS. 11 

Rule 8. Should a player's ball be passed by himself, 
or be driven by an opponent through an arch through 
which field-balls are being passed, he shall be set back as 
many as the number on the arch through which his ball 
passes: i. e., should A, in attempting to drive a field-ball 
through arch No. i, send his own ball through at the same 
time, he would be set back one, etc. Should B, when his 
turn came, ^rive A's ball through arch No. i, A would 
likewise be set back one, etc. This rule is only applicable 
to arches through which field-balls are being passed, a 
player being at liberty to go through any other of the 
arches. 

Rule 9. If a field-ball does not pass through the 
arch, but is driven by, into the next field, or in any manner 
gets into a field where it does not belong, the umpire o 
chief, or the party displacing it, shall place it in the centre 
of the field from which it was displaced : i. e., if the 
field-balls were in field one, and a player, in attem^pting to 
drive them through arch No. 2, should drive one or more 
of them into field two without , putting them through arch 
No. I, they must be placed in centre of field one, etc. 



12 AMERICA. 



Tecliiiical Terms Defined. 



Arches. — The numbered hoops through which field- 
balls are driven. 

House. — Those arches numbered 6, 7 and 8. 

Blank Arch. — The arch at head of ground. Start- 
ing point. 

Fields. — The space between the arches. 

Field-Balls. — Those balls in the set which are 
played upon. 

Smashing or Scattering. — When the first player at 
commencement of game drives his ball against field-balls 
and scatters them. 

Passing. — When a field-ball is being driven through 
an arch. 

Passed. — When a field -ball has made an arch. 

Set-back. — A player is set-back when his ball goes 
or is sent through an arch through which field-balls are 
passing. 

Roquet, — A player's ball makes roquet on a field-ball 
when, proceeding from a blow of the mallet, it comes in 
contact with it. 

Croquet. — ^A player's ball having struck a field-ball, 
is taken up and placed in contact with the field-ball it has 
roqueted. The player sets his foot upon his ball, pressing 
firmly upon it so as to hold it in place, and with a blow of 
his mallet delivered upon his own ball sends the field-ball 
through the arch. 



TECHNICAL TERMS DEFINED. 



13 



Roquet-Croquet. — The same as croquet, except that 
the player's ball is not held beneath the foot, but both balls 
are free to piove in acordance with the blow of the mallet. 

Dead Ball. — A field-ball that has made ail the arches 
and passed outside of house. 

Flinch. — When in the croquet a player's ball slips 
from beneath his foot. 

Match. — A certain number of games or points to be 
played for. 




14 AMERICA SET UP FOR CROQUET. 



DIAGRAM No. 3. 



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CROQUET VOCABULARY. 15 



Vocabulary of Croquet Terms. 



[For the convenience of those who desire to change "America" 
to Croquet, we have compiled the following vocabulary of tech- 
nical terms used in the latter game. The changes needed for a 
Croquet ground can be seen by reference to Diagram No. 3, on the 
preceding page. The necessary rules for Croquet may be found in any 
ordinary hand-book of that game.] 

Booby. — This name is applied to a ball which fails to 
go through the first arch on the first shot. 

Arches. — The iron hoops through which the balls 
pass. 
^ Concussion. — The displacement of a ball by another 
driven against it by roquet, croquet., ricochet, or roquet- 
croquet, and not hit directly either by the mallet or playing 
ball. 

Croquet.— ( Pronounced Cro-kay.) The title of the 
game. 

The Croquet. — Any ball having struck another, is 
taken up and placed in contact with the ball it has struck. 
The player sets his foot upon his own ball, pressing firmly 
so as to hold it in place, and with a blow of his mallet, 
delivered upon his own ball, drives the other in whatever 
direction he may desire. 

Dead Ball. — One that has made the grand round 
and hit the starting-post. 

Down. — The course from the turning-post to the 
starting-post. 

A Flinch.— When in the croquet, the playing ball is 
driven from under foot by the blow of the mallet, it is 
called a flinch. 



16 CROQUET VOCABULARY, 



Push. — A stroke in which the ball remains in contact 
with the ball after the stroke. 

Playing Ball.— The ball struck with the mallet. 

Position. — A ball is in position when it lies in front 
of its proper bridge, with a possibility of running it by a 
blow of the mallet. 

Ricochet. — (Rick-o-shay.) A ball making roquet on 
two or more balls by the same blow ot the mallet. 

Roquet. — (Ro-kay.) A ball makes roquet on another 
ball when, proceeding from a blow of the mallet, it comes 
in contact with it, either directly, or by rebounding from a 
fixed obstacle in the ground from another ball. 

Up. — The course from the starting-post to the turning- 
post. 

Under a Bridge. — A ball is under a bridge when, 
if the mallet-handle is placed across the bridge on each 
side, it will touch the ball in both positions of the handle. 

Roquet-Croquet. — The same as croquet, except that 
the playing ball is not held under the foot, but both balls 
are free to move in accordance with the blow of the mallet. 

A Rover. — A ball that has run all the bridges and has 
not hit the starting-post. 

Starting-Post. — The stake from which the play pro- 
ceeds. See Diagram 3. 

Striking Out. — A ball struck against the starting- 
post after havmg run all the bridges in their proper order, 
is struck out and is out of the game. 

The Turning-Post. — The post opposite the starting- 
post. 



LIBRARY OF 




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"AMERICA. 



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